CAMPAIGN 2012

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Mayor Carlos Gimenez has vetoed a controversial commission vote which raise the cost of health insurance for police because he says it would result in too many layoffs.

Last week, Miami-Dade police officers and county employees filed into commission chambers to voice their concerns about contributing an additional 5-percent of their pay toward healthcare coverage, which would double the tab to 10-percent for thousands of county employees.

The commission ultimately decided 7-6 not to force various county labor unions, including the Dade Police Benevolent Association and the Government Supervisors Association of Florida OPEIU Local 100, to pay an additional 5-percent of their salary to their health insurance after the unions have already made major concessions.

Mayor Gimenez warned commissioners that the vote could have harsh consequences.

“It could reduce public safety in this county and that’s squarely on the shoulders the Miami-Dade County Commission and the commissioners who voted to reduce the taxes and then decided not to do the right thing,” said Gimenez, adding pink slips could go out in a matter of weeks.

The county estimates about 154 police officers, 145 corrections officers, and 100 government supervisors would have lost their jobs.

Wednesday’s move by the mayor will force the board to tackle the issue once again when it meets again on January 24th.